New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft tried to set the record straight Monday at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix. He told reporters the team did everything it could financially to keep wide receiver Wes Welker.

Welker chose instead to sign with the AFC rival Denver Broncos last week. Kraft said the Patriots, in the end, offered Welker a better money deal—Welker would have received $8 million in the first year of a two-year contract, according to Kraft. He also called out Welker's agent, David Dunn, for giving his client a false sense of his market value and making the Patriots look as though they weren't offering enough.

"Everyone in our organization wanted Wes Welker back," Kraft said. "Anyone who doubts that, or thinks we weren't serious, just doesn't get it. ... I really wanted Wes to be with us through the rest of his career, but it takes two sides to do a deal."

While the Patriots are ready to proceed with former St. Louis Ram Danny Amendola replacing Welker in the slot, there is a perception that quarterback Tom Brady was most upset at losing his favorite target, especially after restructuring his contract to provide salary-cap room.

The Patriots used some of that extra money to retain cornerback Aqib Talib, and they need more to help re-sign another priority free agent, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer. Amendola got a deal similar to Welker’s ($10 million guaranteed vs. $12 million guaranteed), but the team softened that blow by cutting wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. Kraft made it clear that Brady’s agreeing to restructure wasn't tied specifically to the Patriots being able to pay Welker.

"I don't answer to Tom Brady," Kraft said. "He's an important member of the team and we've chatted. He did what he did to put us in the best position to build a team around him and win games. … He never put a demand or expected anything when he did what he did."

The Patriots have let many veteran stars go over the Kraft-Brady-Bill Belichick years, but no other money-related decision has received nearly the same attention as their move with Welker.